Page 98 of Deadly Designs

“That’s a tremendous relief,” Logan said, and Lukeechoed the sentiment.

“Now that you’re here, I wanted to talk to you twoabout payment for your company’s services.

Logan waved a hand. “There’s nothing to talk about.We got this.”

She shook her head. “No. I asked Christian for help,and your company went above and beyond.” My gosh, when she thoughtabout the accommodations and vehicles, not to mention the help fromhis office, she was blown away by their commitment.

“Don’t worry about it, Ms. LaLonde,” Luke said. “Ourcountry owes you a debt of gratitude for uncovering a traitor.”

Her mouth dropped open. “Are you kidding me?” Sheshook her head. “It was all Christian. Kayne and Presley too. Theydeserve the credit. Not me.”

“You set the ball in motion,” Luke said.

“But I didn’t realize it,” she argued. “I thought Iwas being followed.”

“You were, and knowing about it doesn’t matter. Itall counts.”

Her eyes stung at their generosity, and words werebeyond her. “I wish you would let me pay.”

“We take care of family,” Logan simply replied.

Now, she couldn’t stop the tears from spilling over.“I can’t thank you enough.”

“Look after Christian, and we’ll be even,” Luke toldher.

“I can do that.”

Christian might’ve wanted to keep their relationshipa secret, but she had a feeling not much got past these two shrewd,intelligent men.

“We have to meet with the authorities,” Logan said.“Can you let Christian know we stopped by and we’ll be backlater?”

“Absolutely.”

“Nice to meet you, Ms. LaLonde,” Luke said.

“Please, call me Aja Blue.”

With handshakes, they left.Wowza, they evensmelled divine.

When she entered his room, Christian was stillasleep. He looked so handsome in slumber with his tousled blondhair. Stubble gave him a rakish look, and she wanted to run herhands over the sandpaper texture of his cheeks.

She dropped into a chair beside his bed, andexhaustion overwhelmed her.

#

A buzzing phone woke Aja Blue, and she knew it wasn’thers since it had been stolen. It was Christian’s, and the toneindicated there was a text. His office had forwarded her calls tohis phone, but she assumed it was for him. Probably his bosses. Shechecked the screen and was shocked when it was for her. Tyler hadset it up so she could get into Christian’s phone, so she accessedthe text. It read:Aja Blue, call me.Whoever it was hadleft a number but no name. She had a gut feeling, so she walked outto the hallway so she wouldn’t wake Christian and hit the callbutton.

It rang twice before the line was answered, but noone spoke. “Hello?” There was no response, but she could tellsomeone was there. “Polly, is that you?”

“Yes.”

The word was spoken so low that she almost didn’thear her. Relief that her friend was alive washed over her. “Polly,I’ve been trying to find you for months. How are you?”

“Um.”

That wasn’t much of a response. “Where are you?”

“I’m here, Aja Blue.”

---